Coffee farmers from Mt. Elgon Sub County who rely on Mwai Mwai Coffee Factory lose at least 60,000 Kenya shillings for every coffee cherries transported due to poor roads.
While expressing their grievances to journalists who had visited the facility, Daniel Yakka, the facility’s chairperson, cited neglect from the leaders, especially from the side of Mt. Elgon.
“The greatest challenge we have is that we are situated at the boundary of Kimilili and Elgon wards in Mt. Elgon Sub County, so on many occasions, leaders don’t prioritize our welfare,” decried Yakka.
He, however, appreciated Kimilili MCA Aggrey Mulongo, who aided in the digging of the feeder road up to River Kibingei, but added that they still need a bridge for safety during transportation.
“We also request Elgon ward MCA George Kwemoi to step in and look at the road from Kaptola to Cheromis since it is very risky and almost killed our lorry driver some months ago,” reiterated Yakka.
According to the farmers, it has been a laborious and hectic journey of counting losses since they have to cater for motorbikes that transport the cherries from the factory to where the truck is waiting about 2 kilometers away.
“Honestly speaking, we pay over 50,000 Kenya shillings for the trips to and from the factory to the truck; this money could have otherwise been used in other sectors, but because of our poor infrastructure, we bear the brunt as farmers,” bemoaned one of the farmers.
Yakka, on his part, added, “We are pleading with our leaders, starting with Governor Lusaka, our MPs, Fred Kapondi, Didmus Baraza, Deputy Governor Mbatiany, and Roads CECM Bonventure Chengek, to look into the construction of Kaptola, Cheromis, and Kamkata roads and bridges.”